U.S. Seeks Less Austerity in Euro Zone

BERLIN—U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew's whirlwind trip to Europe this week ended Tuesday, underscoring the stark trans-Atlantic divide over how best to recover from the global economic slump.

At four stops over two days, Mr. Lew pressed the Obama administration's view that Europe should go slower on its German-led austerity drive to avoid snuffing out the recovery. He also called on Germany to enact policies to boost consumer...